Not too long ago I wrote a little piece about how music has helped impact video games. I inspired myself with this piece to try and compile my own personal top 10 video game themes. Now there were a couple of rules within this, I could only use one theme per franchise, and it had to be very much a personal opinion piece instead of putting in the obvious themes I decided to choose something a bit different. Therefore there may well be a couple of fantastic and symbolic themes which I have left out, and that in the end is personal opinion. So let’s begin with number 10:
Check out the video at the bottom of the article for a playlist of the top 10.
10. Bioshock – The Ocean On His Shoulders
This track purely epitomises everything that Bioshock is known for, the scenery and the actions that take place within Rapture’s watery walls. Both tense and foreboding the track really does let you know just what you’re letting yourself in for.
9. Bastion – Build That Wall
Zia’s lyrics within this track really help set the tone for the game. You have woken in a world which is literally falling apart and you need to find out why. This track is also fantastic in its own way, it is diegetic. This means that the song in fact tells the story of what you’re doing in-game.
8. The Legend of Zelda – Main Theme Song
The only ‘Classic’ track in my list, this theme holds a special place in my heart, Zelda, like a lot of others was a pleasant childhood memory of mine and the worlds and stories that unfold in the games have stuck with me for years to come. Both epic and brilliantly worked, the track has this incredible ability to make anyone feel like a hero.
7. Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty – Main Theme
Espionage and sci-fi mixed, that’s what you get from Metal Gear Solid, and that’s exactly what the main theme portrays. Starting off rather calm and collected, it soon bursts into something a lot more epic in scale. The feeling of urgency is certainly felt throughout the track, and coupled with the incredible orchestra and fast electronic tones the track has become a classic in its own right.
6. Civilization IV – Baba Yetu (Christopher Tin)
Baba Yetu can have the pride that it is the only track on my list that is a Grammy award winner. In fact it is the only video game theme that has one a major music award. That in itself is achievement enough, but couple that with a song which brings me back to the days of The Lion King, high praise in itself, but the worldly feel surrounding the track helps to fuel the idea of conquering the entire planet in the space of two hours.
5. Uncharted 3 – Nate’s Theme
With an epic story you need to bring with it an epic theme, something which will really compliment the game fully, and Uncharted has managed that in droves. Just listening to the background drumming gets your heart pumping, then in come the brass, enough to get hairs standing on anyone’s necks, and playing a track like this within the confines of a video game brings the entire thing to life.
4. Mirrors Edge – Still Alive (Lisa Miskovsky)
Still Alive is just a beautiful track at the end of the day, the light and airy feel of the track makes you feel like you’re free to do whatever you please, that the world is your oyster. What more would you want for a first person parkour action game. The first time I heard the track I fell in love with it, and this is coming from someone who is firmly in the Rock and Metal camp.
3. Portal – Still Alive
Strangely we’re sticking with the idea of ‘Still Alive’ but this time with a very different tone. The entire game is centred on yourself being tortured by a demented A.I. and when the credits roll you are treated to this fantastic little gem. GLaDOS’s ending song is some fantastic musical writing, with some tongue in cheek comedy which makes a perfect end to a near perfect game.
2. Skyrim – Main Theme
For the game, the developers Bethesda created an entirely new language, which included translations and a complete alphabet. What they then went a created after that was a theme which utilised the language for the lyrics. The celtic inspired chanting will make anyone feel like they are the one true Dovahkiin. Both epic in proportion and incredible intelligent this is one of the best themes around today.
1. Halo 2 – Mjolnir Mix
Choosing just one Halo track was one of the hardest parts of this list. Martin O’Donnell has managed to become one of my favourite composers. This use of orchestra is one of the greatest I have heard in years; him and his team have become the John Williams of video games themes, instantly recognisable and widely regarded as some of the best. The track I decided to use was the Mjolnir Mix from Halo 2 which just epitomises the feel of every single Halo game.
